Participants of simulated Mars mission leave isolation after more than a year

NASA conducted a year-long isolation study at the Johnson Space Center, simulating living conditions on Mars. Participants grew crops in Mars-like soil and performed tasks relevant to future Mars missions. They communicated with a 20-minute delay, mimicking the communication challenges of space travel. The habitat was constructed using 3D printers, aligning with NASA's plans for Mars colonization. The crew consisted of volunteers with science degrees, not professional astronauts.